Afghanistan’s most vulnerable citizens will receive much needed relief concerning food security after the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) announced it would contribute $20 million USD to the United Nations World Food Program’s (UNWFP) Protracted Relief and Recovery Operation (PRRO).  

In a statement issued by the organization on Wednesday, USAID said the PRRO is designed to enhance food and nutrition for 3.4 million vulnerable Afghans in 250 districts across all provinces of Afghanistan.

“USAID’s contribution is designed to respond to the food-security and nutritional needs of people displaced by conflict, returnees, and people affected by natural disasters and economic stress. 

“USAID has been the largest donor to the World Food Program in Afghanistan. So far, in fiscal year 2017, USAID provided $40 million USD to WFP/Afghanistan to support emergency food and nutrition operations in Afghanistan,” the statement read.

"With this cash contribution, WFP can purchase wheat flour from local millers thereby supporting the local economy while meeting food assistance needs of the most vulnerable,” said Kathryn Stevens, USAID Acting Mission Director.  

“USAID, the World Food Program and the government of Afghanistan remain committed to fighting hunger and malnutrition in Afghanistan,” she said. 

According to the statement, USAID is working with 15 United Nations and NGO partners, as well as the State Ministry for Disaster Management and Humanitarian Affairs to provide immediate relief and assistance to vulnerable Afghans affected by the complex emergency.  

So far this year, USAID’s Office of Humanitarian Assistance has programmed $70 million USD to support the acute needs of conflict and natural disaster IDPs and returnees in water, sanitation and hygiene, shelter and food, non-food items, health and nutrition assistance, said the organization.